Today in NY history: Bike and car races launched

Every day, New York on the Potomac brings you historic moments that took place on this date. We hope you enjoy Diana Carlton’s “Today in New York History.”

Ice skaters gained new territory in 1879, when an artificially frozen rink opened in New York City. (Gjon Mili/Life)

1879 – The first artificially frozen ice rink in the United States was installed in the old Madison Square Garden in New York City.

1899 – The first two-man team six-day bicycle race began in Madison Square Gardens in New York City. The six-day race is a contest of raw endurance. At the time, riders slept at night and were free to join in whenever they chose in the morning.

1908 – The first round-the-world automobile race began in New York. The following July it ended in Paris with the drivers of the American car declared the winners over teams from Germany and Italy.

1964 – Beetlemania continued in New York City as the rock band from England played their first concert at Carnegie Hall.

1989 – The yacht Thursday’s Child glided into San Francisco Bay, breaking the oldest sailing record on the books. The yacht traveled from New York to San Francisco, by way of Cape Horn, in eight days and 20 hours. That broke the record of 89 days and 8 hours set by the American clipper ship Flying Cloud in 1854 for the same trip.